I saw the most awesome costumes and cosplaying last week at both places. Sure, there was more of a steampunk/Regency feel to the RT costumes versus the superheroes at C2E2 but I encountered zombies in both places.

Which one is RT and which is C2E2? Both photos below could have been taken at either. (The backgrounds might give it away, however.)

photo by Corrina Lawson

photo by Corrina Lawson

2. The Talent.

Not only was the talent level the same, some of the talent was literally the same.

Doing time at both places last week were Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris, Kelly Armstrong and a number of others.

And I’m giving RT my personal edge, as I was able to talk with Sue Grafton and thank her for Kinsey Milhone. She was incredibly gracious. I caught a glimpse of some of my favorite comic writers at C2E2 but it was far too crowded to talk to them.

Mega Bestselling Author Sue Grafton (photo by Corrina Lawson)

Plus, Francine Pascal was at Rt. I have proof of being in the same room as the Sweet Valley High maven.

C2E2 had a special Kid’s Day on Sunday and watching children soaking up the comics world was great, especially if they were lucky enough to grab the My Little Pony free swag, which was included in a bag nearly as tall as some of the kids.

There was also had a Young Adult Paranormal Panel on Friday featuring Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Veronica Wolff.

RT had a Teen Day on Saturday that was incredibly well-attended by authors and readers alike, allowing the teens to mingle one on one with their favorite authors, including Armstrong, Caine, and Wolff, doing double duty.

I cannot tell how happy it made me to see so many young women excited about reading and meeting their favorite authors. (Some of the older ones also snuck into the Jane Austen Happy Hour presentation though they were warned not to partake of samples…)

Steampunk Necklace by Oh So Fine, Inc. (www.ohsofine.artfire.com)

4. Steampunk!

I have so many great steampunk photos from RT but I’m killing myself for not getting a photo of my favorite costume, a Victorian-era steampunk botanist who even had a tiny notebook of original drawings. Steampunk was represented well at RT.

Over at C2E2, a vendor was doing a great business with steampunk-era items, including old-fashioned keys. There was another vendor specializing in hats and hand-made goggles that I’m kicking myself for not buying.

C2E2 also had a workshop on Saturday entitled Steampunk as a culture, given by steampunk cosplayers.